Moving from Tyler, TX to Sugar Land, TX
Moving from Tyler, TX to Sugar Land, TX covers 217 mi and about 4h 16m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
217 mi Β· 4h 16m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | TX 19, I 45, TX 155 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Houston |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tyler | Sugar Land | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.156 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.904 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.911 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 7.0% pricier overall in Sugar Land than Tyler on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Sugar Land typical home at $447,176 is 7.0% above Tyler at $251,563 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Tyler -1.0%, Sugar Land -0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tyler | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.7" | 51.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.5Β°F vs 70.6Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Sugar Land sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TYLER, TX US, SUGAR LAND, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tyler | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,718 | 109,735 |
| Median household income | $65,527 | $137,511 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 42.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.4% | 35.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.86 | 2.9 |
Median household income in Sugar Land is 7.0% above Tyler ($65,527 vs $137,511, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sugar Land MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Sugar Land average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Sugar Land averages 51.1 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Tyler vs Sugar Land?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $137,511 in Sugar Land vs $65,527 in Tyler β a 109.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Tyler to Sugar Land?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 217 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Sugar Land compared to Tyler?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $447,176 in Sugar Land vs $251,563 in Tyler β a 77.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Sugar Land compare to Tyler?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA vs $39,080 in the Tyler MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 111,520 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Sugar Land, TX from Tyler, TX?
The driving distance is 217 mi and the route typically takes 4h 16m via TX 19 and I 45. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Sugar Land more expensive than Tyler?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sugar Land is 7.0% higher than Tyler (98.629 vs 92.156, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tyler.
City profiles: Tyler, TX Β· Sugar Land, TX.